What are the most spectacular roads in the USA?

Located in North America, the USA is a true paradise for drivers, as it hosts more than 2,000 roads listed as the most spectacular in the world.

Featuring mountains, deserts, coasts, and snow, in the USA you’ll get your dream road. And you’ll never want to wake up. For instance, at the top of your list, you need to drive the Million Dollar Highway, the most beautiful road in America, and probably in the world. Built in the late 1880s, you'll be on the "outside" for a while with a hell of a view to your right (let the passenger enjoy the view; you'll want to watch the road). Another paved option must be the Iron Mountain Road, featuring 17 miles, 314 curves, 14 switchbacks, 3 pigtails, and 3 tunnels in the Black Hills of South Dakota. No list would be complete without the winding Tail of the Dragon: 318 curves in 11 miles. Spanning Tennessee and North Carolina, it is one of the most scenic drives in the USA. You also can’t skip driving Mount Evans Scenic Byway, the highest paved road in North America, climbing up to 4,310m (14,130ft) in Colorado. It is said to be the highest paved road in North America.

For those who prefer unpaved experiences, the country hosts some of the most defiant yet scenic roads in the world. You can’t miss Black Bear Pass, a high mountain adventure in the Colorado Rockies. Climbing up to 3,915m (12,844ft) above sea level, it's one of the highest roads in Colorado. You can also discover the beauty of Engineer Pass, a mountain pass at an elevation of 3,901m (12,800ft) above sea level in Colorado. It’s mostly a first-gear ride because the road is rough and rocky. The legendary Shafer Trail Road in Utah's Canyonlands National Park is an iconic drive located on the east-central edge of Utah. At times, the road is so narrow that only one car can pass. And Lippincott Mine Road in California is for experienced 4WD drivers using high-clearance vehicles only. You'll need a good map, as the routes are not marked and there are no signs. It’s one of the challenging backcountry roads in Death Valley National Park.

Lytle Creek Road is a short mountain road located in San Bernardino County, in the U.S. state of California.

Wawona Road (Route 41) is a very rewarding journey with stunning views, located in Mariposa County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s a scenic drive with plenty of things to do along the way.

Narbona Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.658m (8,721ft) above sea level, located in San Juan County, in the US state of New Mexico.

McKenzie Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,623m (5,335ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Linn and Deschutes counties in the US state of Oregon.

County Road 162 (Chalk Creek Drive) is a very beautiful drive located in Chaffee County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Bald Hills Road is a very scenic drive located in Humboldt County, in the US state of California. It’s one of the most scenic drives in the Redwood National and State Parks. 

Red Cliff Bridge is a steel arch bridge located in Eagle County, Colorado, United States. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

At 247m (812ft) above sea level, Jerimoth Hill is the highest natural point in the US state of Rhode Island.

Polihale Ridge Road is a very scenic drive located in Kauaʻi County, in the US state of Hawaiʻi.

American Basin is a high alpine basin located in Hinsdale County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. Be aware of high altitude sickness, which can be life-threatening.

Caineville Wash Road is a highly scenic trail located in Wayne County, in the U.S. state of Utah. A high-clearance vehicle is required, but a 4x4 might be necessary.

Trout Creek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.896m (9,501ft) above sea level, located in the US state of Colorado.

Lassen Volcanic National Highway is a scenic drive located within the Lassen Volcanic National Park, in the U.S. state of California. The road, snaking across the western side of the park between the Southwest and Manzanita Lake Entrances, takes the driver near the major volcanic features.

Kolokole Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 504m (1,653ft) above sea level, located in Honolulu County, in the US state of Hawaii.

Height of Land is a very scenic overlook at an elevation of 685m (2,247ft) above sea level, located in Franklin County, in the US state of Maine.

Located in the heart of Utah’s southwest, the Patchwork Parkway is one of the most scenic drives in America. The road connects Heritage Highway 89 and Scenic Byway 12, following a 51 mile long course that rises from 6,000 feet on the western slope to elevations over 10,000 feet on a majestic plateau, and eventually descends again to 6,500 feet along the eastern slope.

Kendall Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.895m (12,778ft) above sea level, located in San Juan County, in the US state of Colorado. The road to the summit is precarious, offering the best in drop-offs and a boulder-lined roadbed. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Mountain Springs Road is a mountain road located in San Bernardino County, in the U.S. state of California.

Trinity Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.868m (9,409ft) above sea level, located in Elmore County, in the U.S. state of Idaho. The road may be blocked by snow until early July. It’s one of the highest roads in Idaho.

Chloride City is a ghost town located in Inyo County, in the US state of California. It’s one of the challenging backcountry roads in the Death Valley National Park. 

Horseshoe Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2,742 meters (8,996 feet) above sea level, located in Mono County, in the US state of California. It is known for its hazardous conditions due to high levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂) seeping from the ground. Warnings about CO₂ exposure are posted in the area.

Bullion King Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.832m (12,572ft) above sea level, located in San Juan County, in the US state of Colorado. This trail is well worth the drive; however, it is steep in places and has a limited number of places to pass other vehicles. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Foote's Crossing Road is a very scenic drive straddling Nevada and Sierra counties in the U.S. state of California. The road is narrow, steep, twisting and potentially hazardous as it winds through the Tahoe National Forest.

Scotty's Castle Road is a scenic drive located in the desolate northern section of Death Valley National Park, in the US state of California, and it provides access to Scotty’s Castle historic house museum.

Redington Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.314m (4,311ft) above sea level, located in Pima County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. The route to the summit has been in existence for hundreds of years.

Lost Trail Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.143m (7,030ft) above sea level, located on the border between Idaho and Montana, in the northwestern United States.

La Sal Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,093m (10,147ft) above sea level, located in San Juan County, in the US state of Utah.

Greens Peak is an extinct cinder-cone volcano at an elevation of 3,091m (10,141ft) above sea level, located in Apache County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. It's one of the highest roads in Arizona.

Bluebell Knoll is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.449m (11,317ft) above sea level, located in Wayne County, in the US state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads in Utah.

Baker Lake is a pristine sub-alpine lake located in the US state of Washington. The lake and its surroundings are home to diverse wildlife, including black bears, deer, eagles, and various bird species.

Whiskey Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.546m (11,633ft) above sea level, located in Costilla County, in the US state of Colorado.

Hole in the Wall Road is a very scenic drive located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the most challenging backcountry roads in Death Valley National Park.

Cloverdale Mine is an abandoned gold mine at an elevation of 3,497m (11,473ft) above sea level, located in Custer County, in the US state of Colorado. This trail is truly breathtaking.

San Antonio Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.335m (10,941ft) above sea level, located in Rio Arriba County, in the US state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico.

Apache Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.563m (5,127ft) above sea level, located in Cochise County, in the U.S. state of Arizona.

Pilot Rock OHV Road 2N33 is a roughly graded road located in San Bernardino County, in the U.S. state of California.

Logan Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.964m (9,724ft) above sea level, located in Cache County, in the US state of Utah.

Adams Lake is a scenic high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.314m (10,872ft) above sea level, located in Garfield County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The remote location and steep climb to the lake keep traffic to a minimum.

Located in Mariposa County in the U.S. state of California, Glacier Point Road is the most scenic drive in Yosemite National Park. It’s one of the world's most scenic drives. 

Tenderfoot Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.124m (10,249ft) above sea level, located in Teller County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Located in Dane County, in the US state of Wisconsin, the Dyreson Road Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Goose Lake is a pair of high mountain lakes at an elevation of 3.021m (9,911ft) above sea level, located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Montana. It’s one of the highest roads in Montana.

Green Man Tunnel is located in South Park Township, in the US state of Pennsylvania. Locals believe that a man with no face used to walk through this tunnel in the middle of the night. The Green Man is said to have been an electrical worker who was in an accident that melted his face and killed him. His ghost has subsequently been seen near the site of the accident.

Located in Clallam County, in the US state of Washington, Lake Crescent Highway is one of the most scenic coastal drives in the world. The road runs along the southern shore of Lake Crescent.

Located in southeastern Ventura County, in the U.S. state of California, the challenging Yerba Buena Road is one of the Top Scenic Drives in Malibu.

Rogers Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.049m (10,003ft) above sea level, located in Inyo County, in the US state of California. 4WD might be necessary beyond Thorndike Campground due to steep sections and ruts. No RVs or trailers. Expect snow and ice during winter and spring. It's one of the highest roads in California.

Marias Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,602 meters (5,255 feet) above sea level, located in the US state of Montana. It is one of the lowest and most accessible passes over the Continental Divide in the United States, making it an important transportation corridor.

North Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,100 meters (10,170 feet) above sea level, located in Saguache County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

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